Michael Slagter Appointed to Vice President of Sales, West For Mercedes-Benz USA

MONTVALE, N.J., May 14, 2003 -- Mercedes-Benz USA (MBUSA) today announced the appointment of Michael Slagter to the position of vice president of sales, west, effective immediately.

As vice president of sales, west, Slagter is responsible for sales operations for the western portion of the United States covered by MBUSA's Los Angeles, San Francisco and Chicago regions. He is also serving as regional general manager of MBUSA's Los Angeles region, responsible for sales, service, marketing and operations for the region. Based at MBUSA's Los Angeles regional office, Slagter reports to Keith May, vice president of sales at the company's Montvale, NJ headquarters.

Slagter brings extensive automotive marketing experience to MBUSA. Most recently, he worked as retail division director at Saatchi & Saatchi Advertising in Torrance, CA, where he oversaw all Toyota Dealer Association advertising and sales operations for the U.S. market. Previously, he served at Sullivan Automotive Group in Santa Monica, CA as general manager and chief operating officer responsible for the management of a high-volume Lexus dealership.

From 1998 to 2000, Slagter worked at Lexus in Torrance, CA, initially as corporate marketing manager directing all Lexus Division marketing activities, and later as corporate sales and dealer development manager supervising all Lexus Division national sales, distribution, dealer placement and pre-owned activities.

Originally from Evansville, Indiana, Slagter holds a master of business administration degree from the University of Evansville.

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